Long Arm Kits for a TJ

[Lud]

Who makes a good one? Who's running one and what have you got to say about how it runs? I've come across lots of choices:

BDS, Rubicon Express Extreme Duty, Skyjacker Rock Ready, Clayton, Rusty's, Rough Country. Probably like 10 other ones out there. Prices range from $1600 to about $3000.

I've heard Clayton is the one everyone compares their long arm kit to but it's like 3k.

My thought right now is the 4.5" Rubicon Express Extreme Duty. It's been out for a long time and it seems like a tried and true design.

Also thinking of just buying the long arms and brackets and getting springs somewhere else.


I'm considering ditching the short arm setup once and for all and going somewhere between 4-6" and 36's or 37's. I've put this off for a lot longer than I thought I would. Yes I'm aware I'm gonna need the SYE, driveshaft, and maybe a front axle swap to something other than my built D30 and possibly re-gearing.

[toyman2]

I am running Full Traction 6" kit, I like it, it rids nice and seem to do well on the trails. no complaints. Im running 37s and 4:88s

[tobyw]

Rob - with those fenders you've got, you certainly don't need 4-6" of lift to clear 37's... If it were mine, I'd just slap on the 37's and then maybe even lower it a tad from where you sit now? Nothing wrong with a good set of short arms at a reasonable lift height. Set your bumpstops properly, get all of your joints and hardware tidied up, re-gear as necessary, and go spank some trails.

[Lud]

I guess that's another possibility. I already have adjustable arms up front. I could just get the ones for the rear, set up the bumpstops, complete the SYE on the T-case, and move to 4.88's. I will be adding new fenders though up front, ones that are steel.

[Yrjan]

See the TJ build "Radical". Our friend Bryan Barcom is installing a Rock Krawler long arm kit on it and also installing the same kit on his. They are bullet proof! If you would like to see it in action I do believe he will be finishing Radical today and it might be wheeling on the GOOTH run JK Lance called for this coming sunday...I'm sure Bryan wouldnt mind it if you went by his house to take a look at it. If your interested, PM me and i'll give you his contact information...

[Yrjan]

I guess that's another possibility. I already have adjustable arms up front. I could just get the ones for the rear, set up the bumpstops, complete the SYE on the T-case, and move to 4.88's. I will be adding new fenders though up front, ones that are steel.

Also, regarding the fenders... You should see Bryan's... He fab'd up some pretty sweet ones for his TJ.

[Yrjan]

http://northridge4x4.com/shop/rock-kraw ... 55xfplusla

[Lud]

Think I'll start with the SYE/CV driveshaft as I'll need that no matter what.

There's only like 10 different companies that make those too.

[Yrjan]

http://kpr.craigslist.org/pts/4340614087.html

[79chevy39.5's]

Atlas 2s come with that installed and.....AND.......AND you know want to

Edit: I been dream building this for years. Always thought rustys (im more bang for buck) then get coil overs and narrow up a f150/bronco d44 and 9inch rear.

[SquirrelCrusher]

Think I'll start with the SYE/CV driveshaft as I'll need that no matter what.

There's only like 10 different companies that make those too.

Let me know what SYE you go with and how the install goes. I need to get one from my cherokee

[Lurch]

http://kpr.craigslist.org/pts/4340614087.html

That's the ad that started the whole long arm idea lol

[TJDave]

Think I'll start with the SYE/CV driveshaft as I'll need that no matter what.

There's only like 10 different companies that make those too.

I asked the question a few years ago. José recommended the PORC SYE. So, I bought it and put it in. Good price. It's been great and leak free.

But, if you are planning more lift, plus a tummy tuck, you may want to look at the super short SYE kits. My driveline angle is pretty steep with only 3" springs.

I've been thinking about lowering it and adding some highline fenders.

[TJDave]

http://kpr.craigslist.org/pts/4340614087.html

Hmmm. Says only one wheeling trip on it. Now he wants to tear it out and sell it?
Wonder why?

[Lud]

Yeah that's what I thought, Dave, when I read the description of that lift on craigslist.

[Yrjan]

Mega short SYE is the way to go.

http://m.quadratec.com/products/product ... 2237+90+07

[Livin4Today]

Two things...

Being a novice wheeler this may sound odd, but look at the way the arms attach on that kit... Hanging out there for every rock, stump, log etc to tear 'em off. We were watching a Teraflex Rubicon video the other day where Dennis ripped one of his mounting brackets off his JKU.

The Rock Krawler kit is high and tight, nothing hangs down on it, everything is tightly tucked up into the tummy tuck skid pan. Having test driven Radicl ('03 TJ Rubicon), with what we believe is a 3 or 4 inch lift and the new long arm on 37 KM2s, bumpstops are a necessity to stay out of the fenders.

Second why is he taking it off after on trail ride? The long arm acts very different to the shorts due to better articulation with less bind, giving the impression of less control and more body roll. It requires more stick time to get reacquainted with your ride.

With all that said, having briefly owned a TJ, I think they ride rough with short arms, but Scott's TJ rides incredibly soft, nearly like my JKU now. Don't know that we'll be testing Radicl the Sunday, thought we'd save that for Scott, plus we need to do the bumpstop add ins, and we're waiting for the new wheels. But you can surely go have a look, Rock Krawler builds a sick system, hence the reason, Irish, Yrjan (To Be Installed), & Myself run their Mid Arms on our JKUs, and Scott and Bryan will be running their Long Arms on their TJs. Oh and it didn't hurt to get the kits at 20% discounts either.

Biggest thing to look at when comparing kits are the joints, RK's joints are incredible well built, the old addage "You Get What You Pay For" rings true. Other mfgs use combo rubber/plastic/metal joints, RK's are all metal and function very smooth...

Just my thoughts...

[Lud]

The Clayton and Rock Krawler kits seem very similar in that regard, Lance. Similar price too.

I may come with you guys on Sunday. I have a little revenge to go after in those canyons. Back in 2008 the lower area claimed a rear D44 axle shaft on my Jeep 30 yards in. Had a newly installed used front ARB that wasn't working, so I hit it a little harder, bound up the rear tires for which the axle was locked and "pop". It was an interesting weekend, I dumped my motorcycle the day before going 30 when I hit some strategically placed gravel on an onramp to 182.



Was gonna call a run there again when I had everything working, which I do now.

I'd also like to see how a long arm kit does on a TJ.

[Yrjan]

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/ptd/4299289272.html

[tobyw]

Lance - take a (much) closer look at both of those long arm kits your discussing... I think you'll find the Rough County kit doesn't hang down nearly as low as you think, it's merely the color contrast and the fact that the mounting brackets are not integrated into the skid plate. This was a move by RC to try and save money for the end user, and in my opinion it's smart. If you're running 37's on a 95" wheelbase, the Rock Krawler kit isn't going to gain you a darn thing in that regard. It will, however, unnecessarily lighten your wallet and allow you to join the other cool kids running their junk.

As for why that cat is selling the Rough County system, he's also selling a set of 35" MTR's, so I highly doubt he has any beef with the kit itself. He's either getting out of the game entirely or drastically changing strategy...

[Yrjan]

I always wanted to be one of the "cool kids"! Haha!